News

Business Digest: Waterford Wedgwood boost

SHAREHOLDERS Sir Anthony O'Reilly and Peter Goulandris will inject a further 33m (£26m) into Waterford Wedgwood before the end of June to help revive the fortunes of the luxury goods group. The cash is expected to complete the 200m fundraising programme first announced last year.

The finalisation of the cash injection comes as the company announced Peter Cameron was to stand down as group chief executive. Finance director Anthony Jones and interim chief executive David Sculley, a consultant, are reviewing operating costs. The company is close to agreeing 490 job cuts at its Waterford plant. It is expected to announce losses of up to 100m for the year to March.

Estate agent's plea

THE estate agency Hamptons is believed to have asked embattled investors to back an emergency £5m fundraising. It comes as the country's housing market grinds to a halt. Countrywide, the estate agent which owns a string of